Chitungwiza

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Chitungwiza is a dormitory town found some 30 km,[1] from Harare. The town is known for producing some of the finest musicians such as Alick Macheso and Mechanic Manyeruke. The latest popuation survey(2012) revealed that the city has In 2013 it made international headlines after a mysterious explosion which killed six.

Contents

Geography and Climate

Illegal Structures

Chitungwiza came under the spotlight in 2013 after it was discovered many of the residential stands were illegal. An estimated 14 000 residential stands were said to have been built on land earmarked for churches, schools, cemeteries, recreational activities and roads.[3] For that reason the government initiated a demolition process for all those houses(more than 25,000) built on illegal land such as wetlands and power lines. After the destruction of a few houses, enraged residence went on to bar the driver of a Zim Slate JCB excavator that was being used to pull down the houses.[4] The latter then abandoned his work and fled from the scene. Subsequently, the government came under scrutiny and Residential trusts took the matter to the high court. Under Section 74 of the new Constitution, the high court ordered the government to stop the demolitions, giving the residence relief.[5]

Constituencies

Chitungwiza North

Chitungwiza South

Zengeza

St Mary's

Blast

On the 21st of January 2013, a mysterious blast occured in Zengeza 4, in the city. Many conspiracy theories were devised with the outstanding being that the deceased had gone to a local Sangoma (traditional healer). However the investigation carried by the police revealed that explosives had been tempered with. It was revealed grenades and other explosives had of late been a source of money for some unscrupulous dealers. The police also suspected that the deceased(six) had sought to extract red mercury from the explosives which was believed to sell for a fortune on the black market.[6] The traditional heler, his three patients and a seven month old baby were killed in the blast.[7]

Government Response

Though the blast was suspected to have been caused by criminals, the government moved on to assists re-building houses for the victims. The government was assisted by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and some corporates.The former's humanitarian ambassodor, Alick Macheso, was there to assist. All in all, three houses were completely detroyed while 12 others were left with cracks.[8]

Inspiration to Musician

One musician and producer Dr Clarence was inspired by the blast to write a song titled 'PaChitungwiza Chakaputika'. The song talks about the blast albeit in a relaxed and hilarious way [9]

Corruption

Corruption in the city's government has been rampant of late. At one point the city's former mayor and town clerk Godfrey Tanyanyiwa was jailed for six years after swindling over an US$80,000 from the council. He however was given a chance to either serve two-and-half years in jail or restitute the US$80,000. It was stated that Tanyanyiwa was facing 10 counts of fraud, but was cleared of seven due to lack of evidence. It was alleged he used to buy a house in Chisipite.[10]

In 2014 again, The Chitungwiza municipality was reported to be involved in the Salarygate scandal. It was alleged 18 managers withdrew US$235,000 a month to a secret bank account. Each manager was said to have pocketed between $12,000 and $33,000 per month.Among other details, the documents showed that Town Clerk George Makunde was in January 2013 paid US$10,000 from an identified secret bank account when officially he earns no more than US$5,000. Between January 2013 and February 2014, the municipality was said to have collected $14.5 million but 10 million was not accounted for.[11] Additionaly, they were revelations that the town Council had 10 ghost managers. By so doing, the managers allegedly wanted to fleece government by inflating their salaries and forwarding ghost directors over $500 000.[12]